Substance Abuse and Respiratory Disease

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the effects of drug abuse on the lung. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we will focus on the effects of smoking and possible strategies to reduce smoking. In addition, we will examine ways in which other drugs can affect the lung. Broadly, substance abuse can either affect the lung directly (mainly through smoke inhalation), or indirectly by depressing the respiratory drive or by lowering immune defenses resulting in infection. Furthermore, substance abuse oflen goes hand in hand with other psychosocial problems, which can pose additional challenges in treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)